How to Choose Catholic Funeral Music
Catholic funeral music is an integral part of any Catholic liturgy, and a Catholic funeral mass (or liturgy outside of mass) is no exception. Music for a Catholic funeral must conform to liturgical norms and be suitable for use in the Christian assembly. There are opportunities for creativity, since there are no hard and fast rules about musical styles or specific hymns. But care must be taken to stay within the spirit of the liturgy. Catholic funeral music includes the entrance song, responsorial psalm, gospel acclamation, and the song of farewell, at a minimum. Below are some suggestions for liturgically appropriate Catholic funeral music.
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Instructions
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Choose Catholic funeral music to express they mystery of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is at the heart of Catholic belief. Catholics believe that our own lives - and our hope - is rooted in following in Christ's footsteps. Like Christ, believers may live eternally in Heaven with God the Father. This is why pop music, show tunes, or other songs with a secular focus aren't appropriate for a funeral liturgy. While this kind of music can be moving and appropriate for other settings, it should be shared outside of the funeral liturgy.
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A cantor or choir should lead the assembly in congregational singing. While a special musical tribute or piece may be appropriate at certain points during the liturgy, it's important to remember that Catholic funeral music belongs to a public liturgical celebration. In particular, the responsorial psalm, gospel acclamation, the acclamations of the Eucharistic prayer, the Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God"), and the song of farewell should not be performed by a soloist or choir alone; these should be sung by the entire assembly.
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Test each musical piece against the three-pronged rule found in Music for Catholic Worship, the USCCB guide to music in the liturgy. First, does it conform to the solemnity of the liturgy? Second, is it of suitable quality for use in the liturgy? Third, will it assist the assembly in prayer? While these are somewhat subjective considerations, it can help to keep these in mind when determining whether a certain musical piece is appropriate for Catholic funeral music.
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Examples of appropriate gathering songs include I Know that My Redeemer Lives, The Strife Is O'er, Lord of All Hopefulness, and I am the Bread of Life, among many others. Any song appropriate for communion in a non-funeral liturgy may be also used in a funeral liturgy, and there is much latitude in choosing a responsorial psalm. For the farewell song, some popular choices include Lord Bid Your Servant Go In Peace and On Eagle's Wings. See the Resources section below for a link to a complete list of recommended songs. Do be aware that this is not an exhaustive list. Any song - from classical hymns to contemporary original compositions - that meet the guidelines for liturgical music can be used in a Catholic funeral.
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Resources
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